The Point of a Fast

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What if...
the exaltation of the monastic life led to the imposition of a quasi-monastic rule on lay people (for example, fasting regulations)? And the denigration of lay vocation? And it had an adverse psychological or emotional impact, with lay people believing that they were too "normal," not good enough to be holy? And thus they identified asceticism too much with certain external practices regarding goods of the body, and not enough with the mortification of the will with the divine agape?

Tools for Theosis

The Struggle for Holiness

Eastern Christian Books: Ascetic Psychology and Physical Practices for Lent

Eastern Christian Books: Ascetic Psychology and Physical Practices for Lent

The Nativity Fast

Pravmir: Nativity Fast: Renewing Our Zeal for Life with God by Priest Robert Miclean

One of the most beautiful and favorite classical music of Advent, this time of preparation for Christ’s holy Nativity, is Bach’s popular cantata ...

Purity Laws for the Reception of Communion?

"Physical preparednes"... the Copts. (via Byz, TX)

Fasting as Preparation for Prayer

Zenit Articles Featuring Thomas Spidlik

“Fasting is Prayer of the Body"
A Life Dedicated to Unity of Eastern and Western Christians
Benedict XVI Praises Theology-Art Link
Papal Address After Cardinal Spidlik's Funeral Mass
Pope Notes Contributions of Cardinal Spidlik

Related:
La mort du cardinal tchèque Tomáš Špidlík (2010)

Il card. Tomas Špidlík, un ponte ecumenico tra Oriente e Occidente

Pubblicato da Àncora il volume “Il cuore: l’uno e l’insieme. Il card. Špidlík tra Oriente e Occidente”, a cura del sacerdote Franco Nardin con il sostegno di padre Marko Rupnik e del Centro Aletti

Conclusion of the Synaxis of the (Chalcedonian) Orthodox Patriarchs

The historic Synaxis of the Primates of the Orthodox Church has concluded. Here is the summary. #myOCNhttp://myocn.net/conclusion-of-the-synaxis-of-the-primates-of-the-orthodox-church/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Orthodox Church, which unceasingly prays “for the union of all,” has always promoted dialogue with those separated...

Posted by Orthodoxy and the World on Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The fact is that many faithful today do not observe all the prescriptions concerning fasting, either for...

Posted by Orthodoxy and the World on Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The 5th Pan-Orthodox Pre-Council Conference considered ecclesiological, canonical and pastoral aspects of the institution of autonomy and arrived at a unanimous Pan-Orthodox position on the matter.

Posted by Orthodoxy and the World on Monday, February 1, 2016

Ascetic Hesychasm

"It is true that the attitude on the part of ascetics towards the vagaries of human life provokes a variety of conflicting reactions in the psyche of the technically-orientated people of today."

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, January 4, 2016

Jacob's Ladder

Dr. Pia Chaudhari draws on the story of Jacob’s ladder as a metaphor for our ascesis and God’s healing of our personhood. http://myocn.net/reclaiming-alien-land/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, December 8, 2015

CWR Blog: Of Pharisees, ferverinos, and fasts by Edward N. Peters
Why I think the Communion fast should be restored to that established by Pius XII, namely, three hours

Elder Sophrony on Ascesis

Post by Orthodox Christian Network.

CWR: Can We Talk About Fasting? by Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
Some thoughts on the Western and Eastern approaches to food and fasting during the Lenten season.